---
title: "Abducted American pastor rescued after shootout with police, kidnappers killed"
description: "The police have safely rescued an American missionary Josh Sullivan who was kidnapped from a church in Motherwell on Tuesday night. His three kidnappers were killed in the rescue operation after shooting at the police."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "NEWSFLASH"
author: "Estelle Ellis"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/estelle-ellis/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-16-abducted-american-pastor-rescued-kidnappers-killed/"
published: "2025-04-16T08:56:11"
updated: "2025-05-11T14:01:54"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 194
---

# Abducted American pastor rescued after shootout with police, kidnappers killed

> The police have safely rescued an American missionary Josh Sullivan who was kidnapped from a church in Motherwell on Tuesday night. His three kidnappers were killed in the rescue operation after shooting at the police.

By Estelle Ellis · Published 16 April 2025, 10:56 SAST · Updated 11 May 2025, 16:01 SAST

## Key points
- The police have safely rescued an American missionary Josh Sullivan who was kidnapped from a church in Motherwell on Tuesday night. His three kidnappers were killed in the rescue operation after shooting at the police.
- US missionary Josh Sullivan was rescued by the Hawks after being kidnapped during a church service in Motherwell, Gqeberha.
- Sullivan was abducted on Thursday evening, with congregants also robbed of their cellphones.
- A police operation led to a shootout with suspects in KwaMagxaki, resulting in three fatalities.
- Sullivan was found unharmed and is reported to be in excellent condition following his rescue.

## Content

US missionary Josh Sullivan, who was kidnapped from a packed church in Motherwell, Gqeberha, last week, was rescued by members of the Hawks late on Tuesday night following a shootout with his captors.

Sullivan was taken from the church where he worked at 7pm last Thursday during the sermon. The congregants were also robbed of their cellphones.

Since then the police have been searching for him. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said intelligence received led the team to a house in KwaMagxaki about 20km from where Sullivan was taken. They saw suspects at the house, sitting in a vehicle, who then started shooting at the police.

**Read more:**[Hawks step in after kidnappers of American missionary in Gqeberha demand ransom](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-13-kidnapped-american-missionary-hawks-step-in-after-ransom-demand/)

“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded,” he said.

Fumba said Sullivan was found inside the vehicle.

“Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition.”

The head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the operational team for their courage, discipline and tactical excellence under fire. **DM**